Dorset Council is working closely with local voluntary and community organisations to ensure refugees arriving from Ukraine will be warmly welcomed and receive the support they need.
The Dorset Together network, which includes the council, NHS, Public Health Dorset, the emergency services, faith groups, Volunteer Centre Dorset, Dorset Race Equality Council, Help And Kindness, and other local groups, are working together to coordinate the county’s response, including support for Ukrainian individuals and families and local sponsors providing accommodation.
Dorchester-based group Help And Kindness is helping to signpost and promote local community groups providing advice to refugees and local sponsors.
Cllr Laura Miller, Portfolio Holder for Customer and Community Services at Dorset Council said: “We would like to thank our partners for their amazing efforts in providing much-needed support to those arriving to the county, and to those who have kindly offered to provide accommodation.
“As part of the Dorset Together network, our role is to provide accommodation suitability and safeguarding checks, administer government-funded payments to sponsors, arrange school places for children arriving, and refer individuals to services and support including health, benefits and job seeking.”
The Dorset Together network was formed during the COVID pandemic to support those who were shielding and vulnerable individuals. The group brings together a range of different services and support to provide a community-driven response.
Refugee support is being offered through Dorset Race Equality Council Refugee Support and Citizens Advice Dorset.
Local peer support groups and networks for both refugees and sponsors include Shaftesbury Refugee Group, Sherborne Area Refugee Support (SHARES), Swanage Action for Refugees (SAR) and Weymouth Weymouth Welcomes Ukraine. Contact details can be found on the Help And Kindness website: www.helpandkindness.co.uk/support-for-ukraine
Information about Homes for Ukraine, the government’s programme for those interesting in hosting a Ukrainian individual or family can be found on the gov.uk website: www.homesforukraine.campaign.gov.uk
If you have any queries regarding support for refugees and sponsors contact Dorset Direct, the council’s customer service, by email: customerservices@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or telephone: 01305 221000.
Please may we know if there is a support group for Ukrainian refugees and their host families in the Ferndown area.
Thanks Jenny, I’ll find out and will come back to you on this. It’s not something I’m aware of, but that’s not to say it doesn’t exist. Thanks, Kirstie
Hello Jenny, sorry it’s taken me so long to come back to you. Help and Kindness in Dorchester has details of support groups, try their website first https://www.helpandkindness.co.uk/. In addition to this, Barnardo’s has set up a Ukrainian Support Helpline to provide a holistic support service. The helpline is available to anyone fleeing the conflict in Ukraine.
Barnardo’s free helpline (0800 148 8586) is staffed by English, Ukrainian and Russian speakers, to offer support to children and families arriving in the UK from Ukraine.
The helpline is open Monday – Friday (10:00am – 8:00pm) and Saturday (10:00am – 3:00pm). Callers will be able to get help and advice on a range of topics.
A dedicated email address ukrainiansupport@barnardos.org.uk and webpage have also been set up for those assisting with the Ukraine response. I hope this is helpful to you, Kirstie
Can you give details of any Ukranians sponsored in Dorchester please? I’m about to host a family and it would be nice for them to meet other Ukranians in Dorchester.
Hi Jacqui, I’m afraid we are unable to provide personal details of refugees. There may be support groups that are in place, try looking here https://www.helpandkindness.co.uk/ thanks, Kirstie